A one quart barista blend concentrate packaged drink product method

Abstract

A packaged Barista Blend concentrate comprising: a package; a plant-based milk concentrate; wherein a plant-based milk concentrate is packaged in a package; and wherein the package is configured to contain the plant-based milk concentrate; and wherein the plant-based milk concentrate is configured to produce one quart of plant-based Barista Blend milk. A method of producing one liter of Barista Blend Plant-Based milk comprising: removing a content of a single package of plant-based Barista blend concentrate; adding the contents of the single package of plant-based Barista blend concentrate to a container; wherein the container is configured to contain at least one liter; adding a liter of liquid to said container; and emulsifying the contents of the single package of plant-based barista blend concentrate with the liter of liquid.

Description

A ONE QUART BARISTA BLEND CONCENTRATE PACKAGED DRINKPRODUCT METHODFIELD OF USE

[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to a One Quart Barista Blend Concentrate Packaged Drink Product Method. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method of providing a Barista Blend almond or oat milk concentrate in a single package, configured to be stored at ambient temperature, and to prepare one quart of Barista Blend plant-based milk.BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, barista blend plant-based milk products are packaged in one liter (one quart) Tetra Pak® or cartons with added water. Packaging ready-to-use barista blend milk mixed with water creates an excessive and unnecessary carbon footprint, environmental waste footprint, and space storage issues. The object of the present disclosure is to disclose a packaging method of packaging barista blends plant-based milk concentrate.

[0003] Baristas generally foam, froth, and steam milk to make a wide range of espresso-based drinks and prepare coffee drinks. Plant-based milk, until more recently, occupied a tiny corner of the coffee industry. Initially a replacement for vegans and those with lactose intolerance, they carried a substantial surcharge and were largely ignored in favor of traditional dairy.

[0004] As of April 2022, the global market size for plant-based milk is $13.24B, with a compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of 8.8%. By 2031, the market size is estimated to reach $30.79B. Almost a quarter (23%) of adults agree that plant-based milk is better for them than cow’s milk, while half (50%) of adults agree people’s milk choices make a difference to the environment. To cater to the soaring demand, most coffee shops keep a wide-ranging stock of plant-based milk to make everything from coconut cold brews to oat milk flat whites. Despite this trend, baristas and consumers still lament over one particular issue with plant-based milk: steaming. This is due to plant-based milk’s texture and being harder to froth for latte art, as there is less protein and fat to combine.

[0005] Barista Blend Milk is intended for use with coffee. Barista milk textures stretch and retain their silky-smooth mouthfeel at high temperatures. Barista milk is specifically formulated not to split or curdle when mixed with espresso coffee.

[0006] Traditional plant-based milk and the ‘barista’ versions usually contain similar mainingredients, but the barista versions may adjust ingredients to create a more stable, steam-friendly milk which is ideal for consistent pouring and creating latte art.

[0007] Once a barista milk product package is opened, it spoils quickly in the heat and is vulnerable to contamination. Packaging products in resealable containers risks the product’s oxidating. Oxidation is a chain reaction that occurs in the presence of oxygen and is responsible for the deterioration in the quality of food products, including off-flavors and off-odors.

[0008] Tetra Pak® and gable-top chilled versions, typically found in grocery stores, are thinnerwalled packages that do not sufficiently protect the barista milk products and require refrigeration to keep the product fresh. At most, a Tetra Pak® or carton may keep a ready-to-use product for six months without refrigeration.

[0009] Typical conventional Tetra Pak® and carton box-type packaging requires laminated cardboard containers to carry liquid, granular material, powder, or the like. Typically, multiple layers of cardboard are laminated with a waterproof coating. The coating ensures that the container can hold liquid and acts as a barrier between the liquid and the cardboard, preventing contamination of the liquid from the cardboard. Contamination prevention is especially needed when cardboard is formed from recycled material. A problem with such packages is that they are difficult to recycle, and the waterproof coating prevents them from fully decomposing.

[0010] Although traditional Milk Product cartons have been used for a long time, they require refrigeration and a significant amount of storage space and produce significant waste. Most used cartons are thrown in the trash and end up in landfills.

[0011] More and more countries are becoming more economically and socially conscious, also requiring reporting of companies’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts. An environmental social and governance (ESG) is a way to assign a quantitative metric, such as a numerical score or letter rating, to the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts undertaken by a specific organization.

[0012] An organization’s score will include various ESG metrics spanning environmental sustainability, human resources practices, business ethics, external social factors, and overall corporate governance concerns. An ESG score can be used by investors, analysts, and other stakeholders to assess the risk and opportunities associated with a company’s practices. Comparing ESG scores can help identify those areas where companies can improve their sustainability and ethical practices and enables users to benchmark an organization against competitors within thesame industry or sector.SUMMARY

[0013] To minimize the limitations in the prior art and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present disclosure discloses a new and useful method of packaging and a package for packaging plant-based milk.

[0014] The following presents a simplified overview of the example embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some embodiments of the example embodiments. This overview is not an extensive overview of the example embodiments. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the example embodiments nor delineate the scope of the appended claims. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the example embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented herein below. It is to be understood that both the following general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.

[0015] Barista plant-based milk contents are 97% - 98% water. With 97%-98% of the contents comprising water, shipping, and storage of Plant-Based Milk is inefficient and wasteful. The present disclosure provides a solution to using Tetra Pak® or carton by offering a single package containing a Barista blend plant-based Milk concentrate to produce one quart of ready-to-use Barista blend plant-based milk. A user simply adds water and blends at the final destination.

[0016] For example, a single container of Barista blend concentrate packages that produce one quart replaces 10.25 trucks needed to ship and transport the same water-filled Barista blend Tetra Pak® or cartons. The waste of 10.25 trucks of cartons will produce 19,099 pounds to the landfill. The single and quart packages reduce landfill waste by 93% and are recyclable.

[0017] In addition to carbon and waste saving, a retailer may also reduce shelf space, e.g., One caddie that is five by ten inches can hold twenty-four-quart packages of Barista Blend concentrate. The reduced packaging required also reduces the number of vehicles needed to ship and transport the Plant-Based Milk Product, reducing carbon emissions and unnecessary waste at landfills.

[0018] It is an object to overcome the limitations of the prior art.

[0019] These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The drawings arc of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and / or without all of the components or steps which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.

[0021] Fig. 1 is an illustration of an Almondmilk Barista blend concentrate quart package container and packages.

[0022] Fig. 2 is an illustration of an Oatmilk Barista blend concentrate quart package container and packages.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a flow block diagram of the process of producing one quart of Barista Blend Plant-Based milk from a single package of Barista Blend concentrate.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. However, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and / or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure. As will be realized, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the screenshot figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the methods and systems arc not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0027] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0028] “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0029] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of’ and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

[0030] Disclosed are components that may be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all embodiments of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that may be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps may be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

[0031] The present methods and systems may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the examples included therein and tothe Figures and their previous and following description.

[0032] In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is “substantially” located within a housing would mean that the object is either completely within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.

[0033] As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 5% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about”, may refer to a deviance of between 0.001-40% from the indicated number or range of numbers.

[0034] Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that the various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well- known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate describing these embodiments.

[0035] As used herein, the term “quart package” or “quart-sized package” refers to a single package of Barista Blend concentrate used to make a quart of ready-to-use Barista Blend plantbased milk.

[0036] As used herein, the term “emulsify” refers to a uniform mixture of two unmixable liquids like oil and water, using agitation from whisking or blending to create a uniform suspension.

[0037] As used herein, the term “packaged” refers to a product wrapped or put into a box or flexible packaging for sale or transport.

[0038] As used herein, “liter” refers to a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of water under standard conditions, now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters. A quartis a unit of liquid capacity equal to a quarter of a gallon, and for this disclosure, a quart and a liter arc of similar volumes.

[0039] Barista Blend Plant-Based Milk products are typically 97%-98% water. Packaging the Barista Blend plant-based milk concentrate without the added water does not require refrigeration, may increase shelf-life up to eighteen months, and reduce shipping and storage costs. Concentrated plant-based milk can last up to eighteen months on a pantry shelf at ambient temperatures without any hidden ingredients, preservatives, or artificial flavors. It may maintain the same level of freshness as the day it was packaged. When ready to use, adding water to the concentrate and blending is all that may be required. A user may squeeze the Barista blend plant-based milk concentrate from a single quart package into a blender, add a liter (quart) of water, mix, and consume.

[0040] Fig. 1 is an illustration of an Almondmilk Barista blend concentrate quart package container and packages. As shown in Fig. 1, a quart-sized package of Almondmilk Barista blend concentrate may be contained in a flexible, durable, recyclable, single-use package that measures 8.5 inches long and 2 inches wide. A signal Almondmilk Barista blend plant-based milk concentrate package may be added to a liter (quail) of hot or cold water and blended to produce ready-to-use plant-based milk.

[0041] A single Almondmilk Barista Blend plant-based milk concentrate package may be formed from a single sheet of flexible material such as plastic film, aluminum foil, aluminum laminate, vapor-deposited film, or other materials. Packaging Almondmilk Barista Blend plant-based milk concentrate in a single-use package reduces the risk of oxidation, thereby maintaining a superior taste and nutrition. A recyclable signal serving Almondmilk Barista blend plant-based milk concentrate package may reduce waste by 93% compared to a Tetra Pak® or carton of Almondmilk Barista blend plant-based milk. An Almondmilk Barista blend plant-based milk concentrate may be readily micro-foaming, great steaming, and frothing, produce a Barista blend plant-based milk in two minutes.

[0042] Fig. 2 is an illustration of an Oatmilk Barista blend concentrate quart package container and packages. As shown in Fig. 2, a quart-sized package of Oatmilk Barista blend concentrate may be contained in a flexible, durable, recyclable, single-use package that measures 5.5 inches long and 5 inches wide. A signal Oatmilk Barista blend plant-based milk concentrate package may be added to a liter (quart) of hot or cold water and blended to produce a ready-to-use Oatmilk Baristablend plant-based milk.

[0043] A single Oatmilk Barista Blend plant-based milk concentrate package may be formed from a single sheet of flexible material such as plastic film, aluminum foil, aluminum laminate, vapor- deposited film, or other materials. Packaging Oatmilk Barista Blend plant-based milk concentrate in a single-use package reduces the risk of oxidation, thereby maintaining a superior taste and nutrition. A recyclable signal serving Oatmilk Barista blend plant-based milk concentrate package may reduce waste by 93% compared to a Tetra Pak® or carton of Oatmilk Barista blend plantbased milk. An Oatmilk Barista blend plant-based milk concentrate may be readily micro-foaming, great steaming, and frothing, produce a Barista blend plant-based milk in two minutes.

[0044] Fig. 3 is a flow block diagram of the process of producing one quart of Barista Blend Plant- Based milk from a single package of Barista Blend concentrate. This process may include adding almond milk or Oatmilk Barista blend concentrate, water, blending, foaming, frothing, and steaming.

[0045] The First Step: add the contents of a single package of Almondmilk or Oatmilk Barista blend concentrate to a container and one liter (quart) to the Almondmilk or Oatmilk Barista blend concentrate in the same container. A container is preferably configured to contain a minimum one- liter volume of ingredients. The liquid added to the Almondmilk or Oatmilk Barista blend concentrate is preferably water. A container may be but is not limited to a blender, a pitcher, a bowl, a reusable bottle, or any other means of containing the ingredients to be emulsified.

[0046] The Second Step: emulsify the Almondmilk or Oatmilk Barista blend concentrate with the liquid in the container. Either blending or whisking may accomplish emulsification. A blender is preferable as it uses higher rates of agitation and more evenly emulsifies the Almondmilk or Oatmilk Barista blend concentrate with the liquid.

[0047] The Third Step: although not required, foaming, frothing, or steaming the emulsified Almondmilk or Oatmilk Barista blend milk.

[0048] Froth and Foam are tiny micro-bubbles created in a Barista Blend plant-based milk that lends a light and creamy texture to milk while increasing the overall volume. A milk frother may aerate through agitation by pumping or whisking milk vigorously or through rapidly moving hot steam.

[0049] Steamed milk is created using a steam wand to inject steam into the milk. Steam heat creates tiny air bubbles within the Almondmilk or Oatmilk Barista Blend milk. Steam is typicallyused to create micro-foam and is crucial for latte art.

[0050] Frothed milk is similar to steamed milk in that you add air to change the milk’ s texture. The air bubbles in frothed milk versus steamed milk are much larger, with a larger volume and a much lighter feel. Frothed milk is typically described as “drier” than steamed milk because it contains more air and less water.

[0051] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0052] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope of protection not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.

[0053] Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent, to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A packaged Barista Blend concentrate comprising: a package; and a plant-based milk concentrate; wherein said plant-based milk concentrate is packaged in said package; and wherein said package is configured to contain said plant-based milk concentrate; and wherein said plant-based milk concentrate is configured to produce one quart of plant-based Barista Blend milk when combined with a liquid.

2. The packaged Barista Blend concentrate of claim 1, wherein said plant-based milk concentrate is Almondmilk concentrate.

3. The packaged Barista Blend concentrate of claim 1, wherein said plant-based milk concentrate is Oatmilk concentrate.

4. A method of producing one liter of Barista Blend Plant-Based milk comprising: removing a content of a single package of plant-based Barista blend concentrate; adding said contents of said single package of plant-based Barista blend concentrate to a container; wherein said container is configured to contain at a minimum one liter; adding one liter of liquid to said container; and emulsifying said contents of said single package of plant-based barista blend concentrate with said one liter of liquid.

5. The method of producing one liter of Barista Blend Plant-Based milk of claim 4, wherein said contents of said single package of plant-based Barista blend concentrate is Almondmilk concentrate.

6. The method of producing one liter of Barista Blend Plant-Based milk of claim 4, wherein said contents of said single package of plant-based Barista blend concentrate is Oatmilk concentrate.

7. The method of producing one liter of Barista Blend Plant-Based milk of claim 4, wherein said liquid is water.

8. The method of producing one liter of Barista Blend Plant-Based milk of claim 4, wherein said container is a blender.. The method of producing one liter of Barista Blend Plant-Based milk of claim 4, wherein said emulsifying is completed by a blender.

10. The method of producing one liter of Barista Blend Plant-Based milk of claim 4, further comprising: foaming said emulsified contents of said single package of plant-based barista blend concentrate and said liter of liquid.

11. The method of producing one liter of Barista Blend Plant-B sed milk of claim 4, further comprising: frothing said emulsified contents of said single package of plant-based barista blend concentrate and said liter of liquid.

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